How to Plan Tile Layout
Giving your kitchen or bathroom a new and modern look will increase the value of your home. One important renovation is putting down new floor tiles. Hiring a professional to tile a bathroom or kitchen floor can be very expensive. If you plan ahead, and have the patience for the project, you can tile your own space for a fraction of the cost. All you will need is to pay for the materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ceramic tiles
- Vinyl cement (optional)
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- 1-inch-thick wood board
- Tile adhesive
- Straightedge
- Rubber mallet
- Tile spacers
- Tile cutter or glass cutter
- Trowel
- Grout
- Sponge or mop
Instructions
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Make sure the floor you are working on is level and smooth. Tiles can break if they are laid on uneven surfaces. If you have a concrete surface, locate low areas or areas where the floor dips. Fill these spaces with vinyl cement or latex. Follow the manufacturer's direction on the vinyl cement and add the appropriate amount.
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Find the center of the room by using a tape measure. Divide the room in half by snapping a chalk line down the middle of the room. The chalk line should run perpendicular to the door in the room.
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Perform a dry run. Lay the tiles along the chalk line to see how they will fit. Make sure the spaces between the tiles are even. You can place tile spacers between each tile to get the exact space you need.
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Lay the tiles along the chalk line until you reach the wall and cannot lay another full tile. Install a 1-inch-thick piece of lumber to this wall by nailing it in place, then lay a line of tiles along this wood border.
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Lay as many of the tiles along the wood border until you cannot lay another full tile. Snap another chalk line perpendicular to the wood border where there is a gap in the tiles, then shift this row of tiles over the chalk line you just snapped and to the wall. Now, snap another chalk line down the other end of the wall where there is a gap in tiles. You will now have the border for laying the tiles.
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Begin laying the tiles at the border where the chalk line and wood border meet. Apply the tile adhesive to the area with a trowel. Then start placing individual tiles, making sure to separate them with spacers. Press the tiles into the adhesive and use a rubber mallet to gently pound them into place. Keep laying tile until you reach the other chalk line. As you go along, use a straightedge to make sure the rows of tile are even and level.
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Remove the wooden border. Begin laying tiles outside the border. Cut the tiles to the appropriate length needed for them to fit. The tile can be cut using a tile cutter or a glass cutter. Measure the tile and cut it to fit. Add adhesive to the area and press the cut tile into place.
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Add grout between the tiles. Use a trowel to cover the entire floor with grout. Make sure the grout gets into the gaps between the tiles. Take a mop or sponge to clean the extra grout off the tiles.
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Tips & Warnings
Some grout and adhesives work better with certain tiles. Consult with a representative from your hardware store or home store to find out which products work best with the tile you are installing.
Some mosaic tiles come as several tiles attached to a paper sheet. These tiles are easier to cut when getting them to fit on the floor.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tile wall structure background (Red) image by Dmitriy Lesnyak from Fotolia.com
